Protect renters from homelessness by raising standards, increasing affordability and improving security of tenure for private rented homes.

The private rented sector is the form of housing which is seeing the largest increase in those at risk of homelessness. The next government must reintroduce the Renters’ Reform Bill with comprehensive measures to protect renters from homelessness.

Between July and December 2023, there was an 965.91% increase in those sleeping rough who had left Asylum Support in the previous 85 days.

The next government should therefore extend the move on period for newly recognised refugees from the 28 days to at least 56 days to bring it in line with local authorities’ duties under the Homelessness Reduction Act.

They should also review practices to reduce homelessness amongst prison and hospital leavers.

The next government must increase the benefit cap to allow people to claim their full LHA entitlement to help them into housing.

Housing Benefit and Universal credit taper rates must also have parity and be set at 55% and the Housing Benefit disregard should be increased to make work pay for those in supported housing.

The next government should reform our health system to prioritise people with multiple complex needs and address unmet health needs which are a cause and consequence of homelessness; requiring Integrated Care Boards to have a dedicated focus on tackling health inequalities for inclusion health populations, with sustainable ring-fenced funding.

Without a long term plan for appropriate, and affordable housing, the homelessness crisis will not end.

To help break the cycle, a new government must commit to delivering the sector recommended target of building 90,000 social rented homes a year and to a 10 year plan and significant grant funding to meet housing need.